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Strained carbon steel as a highly efficient catalyst for seawater electrolysis
No full textIn response to the global energy crisis, water splitting has become one of the most efficient methods to produce hydrogen as an excellent substitute for fossil fuels. The diffusion coefficient of hydrogen and its interaction with iron have granted carbon steel (CS) the susceptible nature to hydrogen, and therefore CS is considered a promising electrocatalyst in the hydrogen evolution reaction. Compared to many traditional alkaline electrolytes, simulated seawater exhibits reasonable performance that facilitates an effective hydrogen evolution reaction. In the electrolysis of simulated seawater, the lowest overpotential of strained CS samples (-391.08 mV) is comparable to that of Pt plate electrodes (-377.31 mV). This is the result of the plane strain introduced to CS samples by a hydraulic press and indentation, which help to facilitate mass transport through diffusion for hydrogen evolution. The susceptibility of CS is verified by the formation of nanoscale hydrogen blisters that form in the proximity of grain boundaries. These blisters are the result of hydrogen gas pressure that is built up by the absorbed atomic hydrogen. These hydrogen atoms are believed to accumulate along the CS {1 1 0} planes adjacent to grain boundaries. CS has so far not been studied for the catalysis of water splitting. In this study, CS is used as an electrocatalyst for the first time as a cost-effective method for the utilization of seawater that further contributes to the promotion of green energy production
Principles of scientific research conduct, peer review, and publication: an editor’s perspective
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Effect of diet on pathogen performance in the microbiome
No full textIntricate interactions among commensal bacteria, dietary substrates and immune responses are central to defining microbiome community composition, which plays a key role in preventing enteric pathogen infection, a dynamic phenomenon referred to as colonisation resistance. However, the impact of diet on sculpting microbiota membership, and ultimately colonisation resistance has been overlooked. Furthermore, pathogens have evolved strategies to evade colonisation resistance and outcompete commensal microbiota by using unique nutrient utilisation pathways, by exploiting microbial metabolites as nutrient sources or by environmental cues to induce virulence gene expression. In this review, we will discuss the interplay between diet, microbiota and their associated metabolites, and how these can contribute to or preclude pathogen survival
Is it the appropriate syringe filter? The loss of PPCPs during filtration by syringe filter
No full textSyringe filters are used to separate solids from liquids before chromatography analysis for the removal of particulate matter to avoid column blockage. The inappropriate selection of syringe filters may lead to the interception of micropollutants in samples (especially aqueous phase samples) and inaccurate quantification. In this study, mass losses of typical micropollutants - pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) - by syringe filters were evaluated considering the material of syringe filters, the pore size of syringe filters, solvents, and pre-rinsing. The lowest mass losses of 57 PPCPs were observed by hydrophobic- polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (median value was 10%), but for quinolone (7-37%) and macrolide antibiotics (9-52%), the mass losses were still considerable. By changing the pore sizes of filters, the interception of quinolone and macrolide antibiotics by hydrophobic-PTFE was not improved. In contrast, by increasing the proportion of methanol in the solvent and discarding the first 1 mL pre-rinsing samples, the mass losses of quinolone and macrolide antibiotics by hydrophobic-PTFE can be considerably decreased. This study provides guidance for selecting appropriate filters for micropollutants before chromatography analysis of samples to guarantee the accuracy of the results
The importance of genetics in an advanced integrative model of autism spectrum disorder
No full textGenes have long been considered to cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, data obtained over the last 10 years indicate that the true role of genetics in ASD and the cost-benefit ratio of genetic testing following an ASD diagnosis warrant further investigation. ASD is heterogeneous with high individual complexity, and new findings related to systemic alterations in ASD (in addition to genetics) should be considered when attempting to optimize patient health. However, for some people with ASD and their families, genetic testing can identify genetic mutations or chromosomic alterations. This review mainly considers recent research (the last 5 years) on the role of genetic factors in ASD and the importance of genetic testing in a new Advanced Integrative Model of ASD
Artificial intelligence in hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery - promises and perils
No full textResearch and development in artificial intelligence (AI) has been experiencing a resurgence over the past decade. The rapid growth and evolution of AI approaches can leave one feeling overwhelmed and confused about how these technologies will impact hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery, the obstacles to its clinical translation, and the role that HPB surgeons can play in accelerating AI’s development and ultimate clinical impact. This review outlines some of the basic terminology and current approaches in surgical AI, obstacles to further development and translation of AI, and how HPB surgeons can influence its future in surgery
Urethroplasty in a post irradiation urethral stricture - a review
No full textRadiotherapy-induced urethral strictures (RIUS) decrease quality of life and present a great challenge for surgical reconstruction, especially due to proximal location, compromised vascular supply, and poor wound healing. It is unclear whether urethroplasty is an option in cases with stricture resulting from exposure to pelvic radiation. We review the pathophysiology, diagnostic workup, and disease-specific aspects of RIUS. Furthermore, we discuss several management alternatives such as excision and primary anastomosis, as well as techniques for open reconstruction with flaps. The most extensive techniques in the treatment of strictures include, for example, those using gracilis muscle flaps, as they can involve periurethral tissue to provide sufficient vascularity for excellent post-surgery urethral healing. In brief, RIUS represent a significant challenge. In carefully chosen patients, urethroplasty should be considered as a feasible and durable treatment. However, medical practitioners should always take into consideration that the results of urethroplasty in RIUS are not comparable to urethroplasties without a radiation background
Strategies to prevent and mitigate common complications in gender affirming penile inversion vaginoplasty
No full textWhile the number of gender-affirming procedures continues to boom all over the world, resulting complications from genital surgeries are on the rise as well. This paper aims to review some of the most commonly described complications of gender-affirming vaginoplasties and provide our expert opinion on how to mitigate them based on the senior author’s experience. Specifically, poor cosmesis, soft tissues related complications, rectal and urethral injuries, neovaginal stenosis, as well as intraoperative and postoperative bleeding will be addressed
Histopathology of hepatocellular carcinoma - when and what
No full textWhen do you need to take biopsies of the liver, and what information will you get is the topic of this review on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). If, clinically, the differential diagnosis of HCC after imaging is suggested, a biopsy has become obligatory as a diagnostic confirmation of HCC in the non-cirrhotic liver prior to definitive therapeutic interventions, as well as in a palliative therapy concept. In the case of hepatic lesions with an uncharacteristic contrast uptake, a biopsy should be performed immediately to confirm the diagnosis of HCC. After diagnosing HCC, a treatment strategy is evaluated. Further, the biopsy, or in case of surgical treatment, the resected tissue, shows us the different subtypes of HCC, with the steatohepatitic subtype being the most common and the lymphocyte-rich subtype being the least common. Further, the histological grade of HCC is determined according to the grading system of the WHO or the Edmonson and Steiner System. Through biopsies, HCC can be differentiated from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma or combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma or metastases of other malignant tumors, especially metastases of the gastrointestinal tract. In summary, biopsies are fundamental in the diagnosis of HCC
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